A 25-year-old man will appear in court charged over an attack on a Sydney soccer referee, as the ref’s wife reveals the full extent of his shocking injuries.
Khodr Yaghi, 45, is in Liverpool Hospital after having three teeth knocked out and his jaw broken in three places when he was attacked by a spectator at a Padstow match on Friday.
Footage of the incident shows he was punched at least three times and appeared to be kicked after falling to the ground.
Speaking from his hospital bed before reconstructive surgery on Monday, Mr Yaghi said he was lucky to be alive and did not want his children to see the extent of his injuries.
“It’s very sore at the moment,” he told Sky News on Monday.
His wife Fay told Sydney radio she was shocked at the attack.
“I never thought something so vicious could happen,” she told 2GB on Monday.
“He’s got a couple of teeth missing. His jaw is broken into three pieces. He is non-stop bleeding.”
Footage of the incident apparently shows Mr Yaghi being attacked from behind, copping three “king hits” on the back of the neck. Doctors have told him that any one of the blows could have killed him.
“Luckily I’m still on my feet,” he said.
The surgery could take up to three hours and his recovery could take up to eight weeks but he remained determined to fulfil his role as a volunteer at the FIFA Womens’ World Cup. It kicks off in Sydney in July.
“I might lose the sense of feeling on my lips for good …. this was very upsetting,” Mr Yaghi said.
After the video went viral on social media, his alleged attacker presented himself to Bankstown police on Sunday afternoon. He was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and affray.
The Villawood man was refused bail and will appear at Bankstown Local Court on Monday.
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the attack as “absolutely shocking and appalling”.
“My hat goes off to that referee,” he told Seven’s Sunrise program.
“I thought he showed so much dignity getting off the ground saying nothing’s going to stop him being a referee for his local community.
“I thought that the way that man handled himself was absolutely amazing.”
Sports Minister Steve Kamper, a past president of Sydney Olympic Football Club, was among those offering support to Mr Yaghi.
“This is one of the worst attacks I’ve ever seen at any sporting event at any level,” he said.
“This was a disgusting and cowardly attack. It goes without saying that this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable.”
Mr Kamper said community sport had to be somewhere everyone could feel safe and there was zero tolerance for “this kind of cowardly thuggery”.
Governing body Football NSW on Sunday condemned the attack and said it would support the local competition, Bankstown District Amateur Football Association, with its investigation.
“Football NSW have assured me they will be taking the strongest possible action in response to this cowardly attack,” he said.
Mr Yaghi has officiated in Sydney for decades, including in National Premier Leagues NSW, part of Australian football’s third tier.
He had been a sideline official in Friday’s match between Greenacre Eagles and Padstow Hornets and was helped by players from both teams.
Greenacre Eagles, whose suspended player was the alleged attacker, withdrew from the rest of the men’s premier league winter season and promised to help the association impose appropriate sanctions.
-with AAP
